DCD is a nitrification inhibitor that research says has no detrimental effects on soil microbes. It is the most popular nitrification inhibitor on the market while NBPT is the most popular volatilization inhibitor. Often they are combined with urea on products such as UFlexx or Umaxx (same products, different levels of DCD and NBPT). Spraying should not be an issue, although you may not see any additional benefits over straight urea with that type of application.

 

This is from their website: https://www.lesco.com/sites/default/files/_images/content/2018.2302_specsheet_nos_revised_v1-web.pdf

DCD, a nitrification inhibitor, is fully infused into the urea while in molten phase prior to the granulation process. In the soil, this homogeneous infusion of nitrogen stabilizer slows the nitrogen conversion from ammonium to nitrate.

Basically, it is a more expensive product that tries to save some of the nitrogen applied to the soil to become useless. Is it worth it the extra cost? I dont think so.

Ask the in NJ Hometown folder for sources of plain and cheap urea. Since you only have 4500sqft, another easy to find product for foliar is DEF, Diesel Exhaust Fluid. It is dionized water with urea. Autoparts/Walmart sell it in 2.5gallons for like $8. 10oz of DEF ~= 0.1lb of N. Measure, add water for carrier and spray.

 

I would prefer cheap plain urea. I was asking more from a "this is what's available locally, is the dcd detrimental to soil? And if it's not l, i assume it's less desirable than plain urea for spoon-feeding/blitzing in the fall?"

 

I would prefer cheap plain urea. I was asking more from a "this is what's available locally, is the dcd detrimental to soil? And if it's not l, i assume it's less desirable than plain urea for spoon-feeding/blitzing in the fall?"

I wouldn't say it's less desirable then straight Urea, it just has an added Nitrogen Stabilizer in it so you will be paying a little extra for that but it won't hurt anything, if anything it will give you a bit of insurance that all of the nitrogen you apply can get used up by the grass.

 

I would prefer cheap plain urea. I was asking more from a "this is what's available locally, is the dcd detrimental to soil? And if it's not l, i assume it's less desirable than plain urea for spoon-feeding/blitzing in the fall?"

I wouldn't say it's less desirable then straight Urea, it just has an added Nitrogen Stabilizer in it so you will be paying a little extra for that but it won't hurt anything, if anything it will give you a bit of insurance that all of the nitrogen you apply can get used up by the grass.

Alright. I wasn't sure how the dcd worked on a biological level. It made it seem like it prevented the uptake of some of the nitrogen so it could be used later. More like a controlled release.

From cursory reading I was under the impression it prevented the conversion from urea to the plant usable form which requires soil microbes correct? I wasn't sure if used as a spray if that impacted that delayed conversion vs a granular application and exactly how much of the urea was delayed from that conversion process.

If I'm over complicating the topic let me know.

 

Some of the inhibitor-treated urea products are advertised specifically for spraying, so I would hope there is some utility in the feature when it's sprayed. I don't see why not, though. The inhibitors don't come into play until the product is solubilized in water anyway. So what's the difference whether it's sprayed or applied with a spreader and then watered?

 

How much does site one charge for a 50lb bag?

 

How much does site one charge for a 50lb bag?

@SGrabs33

 

How much does site one charge for a 50lb bag?

@SGrabs33

Something in this range depending on if you have an account or not.

 

I just walked in and they made me an account on the spot and said you typically pay lower prices doing that rather than making a residential account online because a walk in counts as wholesale pricing rather than residential sale.

I think in WA state I paid $33 out the door for a 50lb bag of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12, i'd have to check in my garage.

 

I think in WA state I paid $33 out the door for a 50lb bag of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12, i'd have to check in my garage.

Wow, that's expensive. Walmart regular price is $10, and a lot less on end-of-season clearance. Even at Home Depot it is about $15.

 

DCD is the dimer of hydrogen cyanamide. It is an inert organic molecule. Primary markets are use as a hardener in composites used to make airplanes and automobiles and as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The molecule itself is 67% nitrogen. When applied to soils, urease breaks the amino bonds releasing ammonia. This also the mode of action for urea. The reaction is called hydrolysis. The resulting molecular structures further breakdown into 5 metabolites. These molecules physical attach to divalent metal ions in the soil like Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn. The active site on the AMO enzyme is CU++. After it gets sequestered, nitrification stops and is kept as ammonium in the soils. Ammonium plus the now chelated micronutrients are taken up by the grass roots.

That results in a a vivid green color that lasts a long time without surge growth.

Regarding Nature, nitrate leaching is greatly reduced from going into ground water and the bad greenhouse gas nitrous oxide is squelched. Heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic and Mercury are also tamed.

Most folks don’t know about this. The science is complex to the average LCO.

That’s why DCD is just called a nitrification inhibitor and left at that.

A smart LCO, with an aptitude in marketing would, have DCD in every tank mix or granular blend- Planet friendly backed by science!